Eiffel Tower - sized Apophis asteroid to pass Earth at record close distance in 2029

File: Space

According to NASA, Apophis will pass at a distance of about 20,000 miles (roughly 32,000 kilometers) from Earth’s surface. This is closer than some geostationary satellites orbiting the planet, making it a rare and important event for astronomers.

When it was first discovered in 2004, initial calculations suggested a possible risk of impact in 2029, 2036, or 2068, raising concern among scientists. However, years of precise observations using optical telescopes and radar data have since refined its orbit. NASA now confirms that Apophis poses no impact threat to Earth for at least the next 100 years.

The asteroid was first detected at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona by astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi. Early observations were limited due to technical and weather conditions, but later tracking campaigns provided enough data to accurately determine its path.

During its 2029 flyby, scientists around the world will closely observe Apophis to better understand its structure and composition. To support this, NASA has redirected the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft toward a new mission, renamed OSIRIS-APEX, which will study the asteroid after its Earth encounter. The European Space Agency is also preparing a mission to observe Apophis during its close approach.

If weather conditions allow, Apophis is expected to be visible without telescopes or binoculars from parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, making it one of the most remarkable astronomical events of the decade.